UMass Lowell Libraries has rolled out the use of three Discovery Services from Ebsco Publishing: the Ebsco Discovery Service (EDS), LinkSource, and the A-to-Z Portal. These new features provide a big improvement over similar services the library previously provided.

The Ebsco Discovery Service (EDS) in particular offers far more accuracy, speed, and advanced search options than “360 Search” that the library had been using. In advanced search, researchers can now search within full text and also log in with an Ebsco account and save searches. Additional options are also available to limit search results by publisher, publication type, source type, date, language, or full text.

The search-result page (viewed below) displays the many advantages over the library’s previous program, such as the far richer record display and multiple options to refine results. In addition, users can configure RSS feeds and email alerts.

When a citation is available without full-text, a LinkSource icon directs users to full-text options. This link replaces the previously used “360 Link to full text” icon. It functions the same way as “360 Link” did, linking users directly to full text articles or books if available or to an ILL link for an inter-library loan request if not.

Finally, Ebsco’s A-to-Z Portal is now in use to search for the full-text availability of online journals or books.

All of these services are accessible from the Library’s website home page in the central tabbed search boxes and from the alphabet index. Subject-specific EDS search boxes are also available for quick searching at the top of each of the database subject web pages.

For comments or questions about these new services, please contact joseph_fisher@uml.edu